Showgirls (1995)

Nomi, a young drifter, arrives in Las Vegas to become a dancer and soon sets about clawing and pushing her way to become the top of the Vegas showgirls.

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writer:

Joe Eszterhas

Stars:

Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon

10 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elizabeth Berkley	...	Nomi Malone
Kyle MacLachlan	...	Zack Carey
Gina Gershon	...	Cristal Connors
Glenn Plummer	...	James Smith
Robert Davi	...	Al Torres
Alan Rachins	...	Tony Moss
Gina Ravera	...	Molly Abrams
Lin Tucci	...	Henrietta 'Mama' Bazoom
Greg Travis	...	Phil Newkirk
Al Ruscio	...	Mr. Karlman
Patrick Bristow	...	Marty Jacobsen
William Shockley	...	Andrew Carver
Bobbie Phillips	...	Dee
Dewey Weber	...	Jeff
Rena Riffel	...	Penny / Hope

Storyline

All alone in the world, Nomi Malone, making her way to Las Vegas, is determined to make a name as a dancer while putting her unspoken past behind her. Her tough, streetwise veneer is not as infallible as she would like, she, as she arrives in Vegas, becoming more cautious in the way she approaches strangers who seem willing to help her purely out of the goodness of their heart. Her talent and connections in combination are only able to get her a job at the Cheetah Club, a strip joint. Her first true friend in Vegas, Molly Abrams, works as the costumer for Goddess, the topless production at the Stardust. It is through Molly that Nomi catches the eye of Goddess' headliner, Cristal Connors. Nomi has a love/hate feeling toward Cristal: she doesn't much like her but wants to become her. Being at the Stardust, Nomi also catches the eye of Cristal's boyfriend, Zack Carey, Stardust's entertainment director. Through these contacts, Nomi is presented opportunity after opportunity to be part of ...

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Plot Keywords:

stripper | lap dancing | striptease | female nudity | sex in a swimming pool | 

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Taglines:

The show is about to begin.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, and for some graphic language and sexual violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Paul Verhoeven made a deal with the studio unheard of at the time: he would get complete creative freedom to deliver an NC-17 rated movie from the beginning. Up to that time, the NC-17 rating had never been intentional, and was always given after screening of the movie by the MPAA. The deal did include that Verhoeven gave up 70% of his $6 million salary, and he would only receive the remaining 30% if the movie was a success.

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Goofs

When Nomi is playing the slots at the beginning of the film, the camera is reflected in one of the machines.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jeff: Hop in, pard!
Nomi Malone: Where are you going?
Jeff: Vegas! Come on! This is your lucky day!

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Alternate Versions

The Indian version was cut by 22 minutes.

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Connections

Featured in Cinematic Excrement: Striptease (2020)

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Soundtracks

The Fireman
Written by Mack Vickery and Wayne Kemp
Performed by George Strait
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

My latest guilty pleasure.

No really, I thought this movie was good. Not AFI good, but compared to "Pretty Woman" or "Grease" this is an AFI classic. Especially the pool sex scene. People who say Elizabeth can't act should try having sex like she did with Kyle. It reminded me of a western where a lone stranger rides in, shoots the corrupt power broker, saves the day and and rides out. Or a drama where the hero/heroine realizes their dream only to have it come with a price they don't want or can't pay. Yeah I liked it.

Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Showgirls

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,112,627, 24 September 1995

Gross USA:

$20,350,754

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,358,624

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures, Chargeurs, United Artists

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min 131 min (NC-17)

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo Dolby SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1